Furnace closure



May 17, 1932. l.. H. HosBElN FURNACE CLQSURE 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 7.

May 17. 1932- L. H. HosBExN 1,858,504

FURNACE CLOSURE Filed .my 7. 195o 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented May 17, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LOUIS H. HOSBEIN, F WINNETKA, ILLINOIS, .ASBIGNOR TO M. H. DETRICK GOMIANY, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS I'UBNACE CLOSUBE Application llled .Tuly 7,

This invention relates to closures or movable covers of a sort employed for closing heating furnaces and the like, such as soaking its, which are utilized in steel mills for 51 the leating of ingots or other metal bodies preliminary to rollin or other fabrication. In such installations 1t is necessary that the pit or furnace be opened with more or; less requency to permit the introduction and removal of the ingots or other metal bodies, and it is necessary also that the movable closures be of such nature and construction as to effectively seal the furnace when in the closed position. To minimize the loss of heat inci- 16 dent to the opening of the furnace, it is necessary Athat the movable closures be susceptible of being shifted into and out of closed position very quickly. The closures are subj ected to extremely high temperatures and to sudden changes in temperature incident to their shifting to and from the position over the furnace. Due to the trying conditions and influences to which they are subjected, the maintenance of such closures in proper condition presents considerable diliiculty. In order to be able to properly resist and con-- fine the heat, such closures are formed of refractory material suoli as fire brick, and it is necessary to renew the refractory material from time to time. The furnaces or soaking pits, as customarily installed, vary quite considerably in size, both as to Width and to length.

A general object of the present invention is the provision of a closure of this sort, adapted for the uses above mentioned, which is particularly Well qualified to withstand hard usage, resist the temperature conditions to which it is subjected, and permit of repairs being made quickly and economically.

A particular object 1s the provision of a construction which is adapted to closures of different sizes, both as to length and width, which will admit o tbe use of uniform or intercliangeable parts to a large extent in such dlierent sized closures, and which will require but a single form 'of refractories.

Other and further obiects of the invention will be ointed out or indicated'liereinafter 5 or will e apparent to one skilled in the art 1880. Serial No. 483,090.

upon an understanding of the invention or its employment in practice.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification I show examples o certain embodiments of the subject matter of the present invention, and describe the same hereinafter, but it is to be understood that these are presented for purpose of illustration only, and are not to be accorded any interpretation calculated to limit the appended claims short of the true and most comprehensive scope of the invention in the art.

Inl said drawings,

Fig. 1 is a top or plan view of aV soaking pit cover frame;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on approximately line 2 2 of Fig. l showing the frame with refractories in place thereon to form a closure for a pit furnace;

Fig. 3 is a. longitudinal section on approximately line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a hanger or supporting member for tiles;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an extension hanger or tile support;

Fig. 6 is an elevational section through adjacent margins of relatively movable sections of a pit cover of modified form;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary end view of one of the sections shown in Fig. 6, parts being broken away.

The nature of the invention will be quickly ascertained from the illustrative embodiments shown in the drawings. A rectangular frame is formed of channel members 10 and 11, suitably connected at their ends, the members 10 constituting end frame members and the members 11 constituting side frame members. Within the area of the frame, one or more longitudinal stiiening members 12 connect the end members 10, and transverse hanger supports 14 extend between the same and the members 11. The structure is such as to form a stron stili' frame, and one which can easily be fabricated from commonirolled steel shapes. The width of the frame is such as to span the pit or furnace openn for which the closure is designed and exten for some distance beyond the sides of the opening. The length of' the frame is such as may be required for the particular opening, but where a single closure is to be used, 1t is desirable that the length be such that the end frame members will be positioned a substantial distance outwardly beyond the ends of the opening. The frame carries suitable bearings 15 in which are journaled the axles of wheels 16 which carry the closure, said wheels running on rails 17` disposed alongside the furnace opening in such relationship that the closure may be moved to a position over the latter. Suitable means is provided for shifting the closure along the rails, a bracket 18 being provided for attachment of the shifting means. The frame may be braced at the corners by braces 19. The depth of the frame members should be such that the frame will be supported a substantial distance above the walls of the pit or furnace, which walls are indicated by the refer-,V ence numeral 20.

The hangers or tile retaining members 21 are suspended on the frame by means of hanger rods 22 which hook over the frame members 14 and hookl into openings 10 punched in the upper flanges of the end frame members. These hangers 21 are formed of suitable material adapted to ailord the necessary tensile strength and qualified to withstand heat, such as cast iron. Their length Ais such as to permit their being inserted and withdrawn between the frame members while remaining in approximately horizontal position, thus permitting them to hang clear of the frame members though extending part way between them, as illustrated in Fig. 3. Respective hangers as illustrated in Fig. 4, have a body portion in the nature of an upstanding web 21a affording a substantial surface exposure and carrying along its lower margin laterally or 'outwardly directed langes21". Depending from this body portion are tile-engaging members which are spaced uniform distances longitudinally of the same. They have ianged Shanks 21 and laterally projecting hooks or arms 21 and are cast integrally with the body portion. At the ends ofthe body web, and spaced slightly above the marginal anges 21", are outstanding lugs 21e.

The refractories 24 are of generally rectangular form and preferably ofrelatively small cross-section and adjacent the upper end each refractory has a pocket extendlng inwardly from one of its lateral faces so as to afford a suspension ligament brid 'ng the pocket, and which ligament is notche inwardly for a slight distance from the pocket opening. The refractories are suspended on the hooks or arms 21d of the tile-engaging members, said arms extending into the pockets so that the suspension ligaments rest upon them, and the notches accommodate the Shanks 21 so that the adjacent faces of refractories suspended on respective tile-engaging members may come into abutment with each other. The longitudinal s acing of the tile-engaging members is such t at the pairs of refractories suspended on adjacent tile-engaging members will likewise be in abutment. Thus a continuous closure section is formed by the associated refractories on each hanger. The tories are of such widt as to ermit a limited lay or shiftin of the re ractories longitudinally of the Eanger, and the over-al1 length of the closure section approximates the length of the hanger, so that the section may be withdrawn or inserted between the frame members as an entity. The sections are arran ed collaterally with their refractories in autment, as shown in Fig. 2. They are spaced apart at their ends, however, a distance equal to the width of a refractory, said spaces occurring under the frame members 14. For filling these spaces in order to make the refractory closure continuous, extension hangers 25 are provided. One of these is illustrated in Fig. 5. They have tile-engaging members similar to those of the hangers 21, and extending angularl from the shank of the same is an arm 25a which is bifurcated at 251D so Vas to straddle the web 21' of the hanger. They are so proportioned as to be slid onto the hangers at the ends thereof, said arm 25 resting on the han er flanges 21" and engaging below a air o the lugs 21'. In this fashion the supp emental or extension hangers are remova ly supported on the han ers 21 with their tile-engaging members in a ignment with those of the hanger and appropriately spaced therefrom so as to accommodate a pair of refractories and support them between the end refractories of the adjacent sections, as shown in Fi 3.

Accordin ly, it will be observed t at the refractory c osure is made of a. plurality of individually Vsuspended refractories, each susceptible of limited movement and free play relative to the others, said refractories eing arranged in closure sections, and each section is supported on its respective hanger and the hangers demountably sus ended on the frame for both swinging an movement relative to one another. The refractories are thus suspended at such eleva-` ockets in the refrac' shifting los tion with respect to the frame that the latter is entirel above them. l

The assem 1y of sections and refractories constitutin the entire closure are bound or constrained5 in close lateral abutment with one another by marginal constraining members 26. These are rigid plates of suitable heat resistant metal, such as cast iron, and they are of limited length, preferably corresponding approximately to the width of a pair of the refractories. They are secured to the frame members 10 and 11 by bolts 27 and they depend below the lower margins of the frame for a distance such as to overlap a.

suitable prroportion of the height of the marginal re actories. The boltmg u may be such as to allow limited extent o outward movement of the constraining members, to accommodate expansion of the refractories at heating, but to apply the requisite constraining pressure, upon such expansion, to hold the refractories 1n close abutment with one another. Where the width of the refractory closure is such that it may be formed of complete pairs of the refractories, all of the refractories may be supported on hangers 21. It may occur, however, that the total width of the refracto closure must be such as to require an ad itional refractory in order to complete the span. Infsuch case the additional refractories may be supported on the constraining plates along one margin of the frame, as illustrated at the left hand side of Fig. 2 and both sides of Fig. 3. In such instance the plates 26 are provided with tile-enga in members 26, corresponding to those o t e hangers and appro riately spaced for en agement in the pocliets of these refractorles, so that the latter will be supported in alignment with the lower faces of the other refractories.

As thus constructed, the refractory closure possesses a desirable internal exibility which permits the refractories to accommodate themselves to thermal expansion and contraction without imposing injurious stresses upon one another or upon their supporting parts. At the same time each rerwctory is securely anchored in place and retained in proper association with others to maintain the continuity and inte rity of the structure as a whole. The flexi le support also permits the refractories a certaln degree of mobility in the structure, so that they may yield somewhat to inertia shocks upon the sudden starting and stopping of movement of the cover.

The structure permits replacement of refractories being made very quickly and easily. y, Wherever necessary the plates 26 may be loosened by partly backing off the bolts, and one or more sections may be withdrawn by elevating their hangers 2l. When replacements are necessary, usuall the entire closure is re-tiled. However, t e present construction particularly facilitates the replacement of refractories along the margins and marginal sections of the closure, where disintegration of the refractories is likely to be most rapid.

The elevation of the rails is usually such that the refractories will be held a slight distance above the tops of the furnace walls, and this is desirable in order to avoid fracture of the marginal refractories. It is customary to seal the small intervening space with sand.

Sometimes, when the pit or furnace opening is long, it is desirable to employ a closure comprised of two independently movable sections or covers which may be withdrawn from over the pit opening 1n opposite directions, and which abut each other when in the closed position. In order to provide a continuous refracto cover, this may involve the provision of ad itional noses or refractory extensions along the meeting margins of the relatively movable sections. An arrangement whereby such a feature may be embodied in the construction is illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7. In Fig. 6 the marginal portions of the two oppositely movable closure sections are shown in sectional elevation, the reference numeral 10 designating an end frame member of one of the sections and the reference numeral 10 designating an end frame member of the other section. The abutment or constraining plates are of a modified form, and consists of castings, designated generally by the reference numeral 28, each having a flat body portion with laterally extendin shoulders or lugs 28, a shelf portion 28, an web 28, each extending normall to the body portion, and tile-engaging mem r 28" corresponding in form to the tileenga ing members of the hangers. At its termmal portion the web 28 carries laterally extending lugs 28. These abutment members are mounted against the web of the end frame member by means of shouldered cleats 29, which are bolted to the end frame member, and behind the shoulders of which the lugs 2Ba of the abutment members engage. The spacing of the abutment members along the end frame members is such that each is positioned across the vertical joint line between a pair of the marginal closure refractories 20, so that the lower portions of the abutment plates will abut the outer faces of said refractories to constrain them in lateral abutment with the adjacent closure refractories, thus serving the same purpose as the abutment or constraining plates 26. Refractories 30, which may be of the same form and size as the refractories 20, are engaged with the tile-engaging members 28*i and are supported in courses on the shelf members '28". Upon the lugs 28 of each of the abutment members is suspended apair of nose refractories 31, the lateral faces of which refractories are formed with suitable slots and grooves to accommodate the shelf member 28", web 28 and lugs 28, as well as the depending portion of the abutment plate, so as to permit said refractories to abut each other laterally and also to abut and align with the adjacent pair of refractories 20. 1n this fashion all. of the metal work at the end of the closure section is completely covered with an effective thickness of refractory material, and the margin of the section presents a continuous refractory nose, all of the component refractories of which are definitely anchored in place, but have a limited extent of individual movement for accommodation of thermal-ex ansion. To prevent fracture of the nose re ractories from impact of the rela- `tively movable closure sections, and to form a. closing seal alon the meeting line, stop plates 32 are bolte to the upstanding portions of the members 28, one projecting a short distance beyond the vertical faces of the refractories 30 and 31 and the other terminating short of the vertical faces of the refractories therebelow. These stop lates on the coo erating closure sections a ut each other w en the sections are moved to closed positions, and relieve the terminal refractories of impact. The overlap of one of the plates over the refractories 011 the other section forms as a seal along the meeting line. The refractories 31 at the lateral ends of the courses are retained on the lugs 28e by extensions 26" on the lateral abutment or constraining plates 26. In order to support the marginal course of the refractories 20 independently of the plates 28, hook castings or hangers 34 (Fig. 6) may be employed, same having tile-engaging members like the other hangers and having supporting arms adapted to engage over the lower ianges of the end frame members, as seen in Fig. 6. Each of these hook castings supports a single one of the refractories 20.

I claim:

1. A furnace cover comprising a shiftably supported frame, abutment members detachably secured to the frame, and interchangeable refractories arranged in lateral abutment with their lower faces approximately in a common lane to form a continuous closure below the rame, suspension members whereby some of said refractories are suspended from the frame and tile-engaging members on some of the abutment members for supporting others of the refractories.

2. A furnace cover as specified in claim 1 and wherein the abutment members hold the refractories in lateral abutment with one another.

3. A furnace cover as specified in claim 1 and wherein the suspension members are pendulously supported on the frame and respective suspension members carry a plurality of the suspended refractories.

4. A furnace cover comprising a shiftably supported quadrilateral frame, abutment members arranged about the margin of the frame and detachably connected to the same, and refractories of uniform size and shape suspended from the frame in lateral abutment with one another to form a continuous closure disposed entirely below the frame and maintained about itsV periphery by the abutment members.

5. In a furnace cover, the combination of a quadrilateral frame, hangers pendulously supported thereon and having laterally projecting tile-engaging members, abutment 'i members mounted about the margin of the frame, some of said abutment members having laterally projecting tile-en, 3;aginer members, and refractories of like size and shape supported on the tile-engaging members to form a continuous closure below the frame.

6. A furnace cover structure as specified in claim 5 and wherein respective hangers and abutment members with their supported refractories are individually and independently removable from the frame.

7. A furnace cover comprising a frame including connected end and side frame members, refractories movably suspended on the frame to form a continuous closure extending under said frame members, and abutment members secured to said frame members and engaging the outer side of the marginal refractories about the periphery of the closure to hold the refractories in lateral abutment with one another.

8. A furnace cover com rising a frame, means supporting same for iiorizontal traveling movement, refractories suspended on the frame to form a continuous closure therebelow with its lower surface in substantially a common plane, abutment members depending from the frame and engaging marginal refractories laterally about the periphery of said closure, and devices for adjusting some of the abutment members toward and from the closure.

9. In a furnace cover, the combination with a shiftable frame supported for movement horizontally and refractories carried thereon in association to form a closure, of refractories supported along the one side of the frame to form a nose conjoining the closure, and means holding all said refractories against movement away from one another by inertia incident to starting or stopping movement of the frame.

10. A furnace cover structure as specified in claim 9 and including retaining members secured to the frame and anchoring the nose refractories in positions outside the area of the frame.

11. In a furnace cover, the combination with a shiftable frame and. refractories carried thereon in association to form a closure below the frame, of tile-supporting members carried laterally of the frame.` refractories supported on said tile-supporting members to form a protective sheathing alongside the frame, and refractories supported in conjoining relationship to the refractories of said sheathing and closure.

12. In a furnace cover, the combination of a. shiftable frame, refractories carried on the frame to form a closure therebelow, and refractories carried along a side ofthe frame to form a collateral protective sheathing therefor.

13. A furnace cover as specified in claim l2 and including a stop member carried on the frame and projecting beyond said collateral sheathing.

14. In a furnace structure, in combination, :1 tile support having a horizontally project- 5 ing' shellc portion and tile-engaging members spaced apart vertically above the shelf and e.\"tendin; r transversely thereof Vand refractoriesA supported by the shelf portion and movable transversely thereof into and out of y aiu-horinnr engagement with the tile-engaging members.

15. In a furnace cover, the combination with a shi'ftable frame, of tile supports deniountahly attached thereto along a margin ot the frame in spaced relationship, and refraotories anchored to said supports in positions alongside the trame.

1G. ln a furnace cover, the combination of shiftahly supported frames movable horizontally toward and from each other, re-

iractoiies mounted ou the frames to form furnace closure portions below the ra'mes and refractories supported along the adjacent m argine of the frames to form a closure portion intermediate the frames.

17'. In a furnace cover, a structure as specitied in claim 16 and including stop members on the trames adapted to abut.

18. In n furnace cover, a structure as so specified in claim 16 and including a sealing member on one frame adapted to overlap the junction line between the relatively movable closures.

ln testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name:

LOUIS H. HOSBEIN.

CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,858,504. May 17, 1932.

Louis H. HosElN Itis hereby certified that Aerror appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 4, line 59, claim 4, for the`word "mantained'f read retained; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this th day of Aueust, A. D. 1932.

. M. J. Moore, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

frame and projecting beyond said collateral sheathing.

14. In a furnace structure, in combination, :1 tile support having a horizontally projecting' shellc portion and tile-engaging members spaced apart vertically above the shelf and estenrlintr transversely thereof Vand refractoriesA supported by the shelf portion and movable transversely thereof into and out of y aiu-horinnr engagement with the tile-engaging members.

15. In a furnace cover, the combination with a shi'ftable frame, of tile supports deniountahly attached thereto along a margin ot the frame in spaced relationship, and refraotories anchored to said supports in positions alongside the trame.

1G. ln a furnace cover, the combination of shiftahly supported frames movable horizontally toward and from each other, reiractoiies mounted ou the frames to form furnace closure portions below the ra'mes and refractories supported along the adjacent m argine of the frames to form a closure portion intermediate the frames.

17'. In a furnace cover, a structure as specitied in claim 16 and including stop members on the trames adapted to abut.

18. In n furnace cover, a structure as specified in claim 16 and including a sealing member on one frame adapted to overlap the junction line between the relatively movable closures.

ln testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name:

LOUIS H. HOSBEIN.

CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,858,504. May 17, 1932.

Louis H. HosElN Itis hereby certified that Aerror appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 4, line 59, claim 4, for the`word "mantained'f read retained; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 30th day of Aueust, A. D. 1932.

. M.A J. Moore,

(Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

